THE United States and Papua New Guinea are on track to sign a defense cooperation agreement that would potentially allow American troops to access the island nation’s ports and airports.
Biden is expected to visit the capital and meet with leaders of Pacific Island countries before flying to Sydney to attend the upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit.
During his visit, the American leader is expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the island of the Pacific nation.
The agreement is designed to allow U.S. troops to use certain facilities and areas in Papua New Guinea such as ports and airports, in a condition that both sides agree.
According to Papua New Guinea officials, the defense cooperation agreement between the U.S. and Papua New Guinea went through several months of negotiations and is now about 90% complete.
Biden’s visit comes after the Group of Seven’s May 19-21 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, and before the Quad Leaders’ Summit on May 24.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Papua New Guinea from May 22-23 and will meet with leaders from 14 Pacific countries during the India-Pacific Islands summit.
Biden and Modi’s upcoming visits to Papua New Guinea underline the heightened great power rivalry in the Pacific, where Washington and Beijing are vying for influence.
